Once Upon a Cloud - Claire Keane

Title: Once Upon a Cloud
Author: Claire Keane
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin), 2015 (Hardcover)
Length: 40 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Started: March 6, 2015
Finished: March 6, 2015

Summary:
From the inside cover:

Celeste wants to give her mother something special - but what? As she drifts off to sleep, Celeste is swept up into the sky, where the sun, the moon, and the stars are eagerly awaiting her arrival. How grand! They receive her with such kindness that Celeste positively sparkles with delight. And on her way home, it comes to her: the perfect gift. It was there all along; Celeste just didn't know where to look.

In this story about finding unexpected inspiration and giving from the heart, Claire Keane invites readers to ride on the wind, wherever it leads.

Review:
This book was just released this week but it's been on my radar for a few months. Once I saw the gorgeous cover art and figured out that the author is the daughter of the famous Disney animator, I knew this was going to have a place on our shelf. I received it today after ordering it for my daughter's collection, and oh is it ever spectacular!

The illustrations are incredibly whimsical and adorable, and the colours just add to the eye-candy: sugar pink, floral purple, and vibrant blue. Look at the picture below and try to claim you're not getting cavities from the sheer sweetness.

I love how Celeste's dog follows her around in each scene, it's a great little touch. Plus a bit of narcissism on my part: Celeste, her mother, and their dog actually look a little like myself, my daughter, and our dog. 

Recommendation: 

Please pick up this book, your inner child and your actual children will thank you. This is a must-read if you or your child adore whimsy and fantasy, it abounds here. 

Thoughts on the cover:

Simply gorgeous. This gives you a good idea as to the quality of the drawings and the colours you'll see throughout the book. Also, it's hard to tell in the image above, but the white spots spreading over the cover is actually silver embossing, it's a perfect extra touch.